As we venture out in our big crew, the remarks and stares keep coming. Honestly, sometimes I feel like I’m on the verge of losing it and doing something wild, like launching a cantaloupe at a curious onlooker. To maintain my cool (and avoid a trip to the slammer), here are some questions to steer clear of when you encounter a large family.
- “Are you running a circus?”
Nope, we’re not a sideshow. If we were, I’d be raking in the dough! Counting us out loud and staring? Impressive! Yes, we have five kids—well done on your math skills! - “Trying to beat the Duggars?”
Oh, how original! As if I haven’t heard that before. Truth is, I’m secretly training my own army of minions, and cloning is just too complicated! - “You really need to learn to say no!”
Excuse me? Have you seen my husband? Why would I ever want to say no to him? Maybe it’s me who’s the one giving him a hard time. It’s strange to assume I’m overwhelmed by his affections! - “Do you know what causes that?”
Of course we do—and let me tell you, we’re rather skilled at it! - “Were they all planned?”
Wow, did you plan to be this rude? How my family planning is anyone’s business but my husband’s is beyond me. If I say no, I’m careless; if I say yes, I’m insane! - “Are you super religious?”
Why does everyone assume that large families are all about religion? Some people genuinely love having kids—no divine intervention required! - “Why did you keep them all?”
Seriously? They’re not stray puppies! My friend once quipped, “Well, we did eat a few…” - “How do you afford all of them?”
Simple: they take turns eating! Plus, we save a fortune by using dog crates instead of beds. Just kidding—sort of! - “I could never handle that many kids!”
Good! Please refrain from trying. - “You’re done having kids, right?”
Unless you’re planning to fund their college, that’s none of your business!
What really gets under my skin is the comment, “You poor woman!” Yes, life can be chaotic and noisy, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. I adore my husband and my rowdy crew. Just because big families aren’t for everyone doesn’t mean they aren’t for anyone!
For more insights on large families, check out our post on home insemination and remember, if you need help, Make a Mom is a great resource for tips. If you’re curious about pregnancy, the NIH’s pregnancy page is an excellent resource too!
Summary
Avoiding intrusive questions can make interactions with large families much more pleasant. Embrace the chaos, and remember that every family is unique and deserving of respect.